In the Mediterranean, on the Mediterranean coast, people use only olive oil. It is perhaps no coincidence that this region has the lowest rate of cardiovascular disease and the lowest death rate from cardiovascular and other diseases.
Be sure to choose extra virgin olive oil when you buy it in the shop, as it is the healthiest, i.e. it contains the most nutrients. Olive oil can be used in cooking and baking, and can also be used to flavour salads.
One of the health benefits of olive oil is that it is extremely rich in phytochemicals, which can help fight cancer and heart disease.
Research has shown that the risk of developing cardiovascular disease is reduced by consuming olive oil on a daily basis, i.e. regularly. The active compounds in olive oil reduce high blood pressure and prevent hardening of the arteries.
By replacing the oil or fat you use at home with olive oil, you can reduce your risk of stroke by up to 40 percent.
Inflammation in the body can lead to the development of chronic diseases. However, the antioxidants in olive oil significantly reduce this inflammation level, and this effect is due to the oleic acid in olive oil.
The free radicals that proliferate in the body have cell-damaging effects. Antioxidants can prevent cell and tissue damage. Olive oil is rich in these antioxidants, which is why it can reduce the risk of many diseases.
Olive oil also contains nutrients that are very effective against certain strains of bacteria. One of these is Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that lives in the stomach and is largely responsible not only for stomach ulcers but also for stomach cancer.
The Mediterranean diet does not focus on meat but mainly on plants and plant-based nutrition. Olive oil is used extensively in the preparation of these dishes. Including olive oil in your diet can significantly reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as colorectal, cervical, breast, prostate and pancreatic cancers.